Ms. Yip Sook Cheng
Teacher, Piano Performance, Advanced Piano Performance and Evening Soirees for Adults Programmes
~ Where words fail, music speaks.
These timeless words by Hans Christian Anderson resonate deeply with Yip Sook Cheng, a music educator with over forty years of teaching experience.
Throughout her career, Sook Cheng has taught music appreciation to many preschoolers from aged 3 to 6 and piano from beginner through to diploma level. She has witnessed the transformative power of music – even among students with special needs and facing communication challenges, whether verbal or non-verbal. Under her guidance, students learn to use music as their language. It becomes a journey of self-discovery and connection.
To Sook Cheng, musical milestones are not only about certification through exams or winning awards. Any progress made in the process of learning something is never considered insignificant. It brings much psychological, emotional, and therapeutic rewards to both students and teacher. Her greatest hope is that students will continue to treasure music long after their exams are over and even use music to impact society. Some of them have pursued music education to become professional musicians and this includes a violinist, flautist, piano teachers, and music therapist.
Originally from Penang, Malaysia, Sook Cheng studied piano with Lee Hooi Tong and Joe Emuang, earning diplomas in teaching and performing from Trinity College of Music and the Royal schools of Music while teaching at their music school. She later pursued full time music studies at the University of Southern Illinois, Edwardsville, USA, completing Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in performance. Her mentors were Mary Anderson, Dr. Linda Perry, and Ruth Slenczynska.
Following her studies, she moved to Singapore and taught at LaSalle College of the Arts from 1990 -1997. Since then, she has been teaching privately in her home. She continues to refine her artistry with Dr. John Sharpley (composer and pianist) and has had private lessons with concert pianists Noriko Ogawa and Mei Yi Foo.
Beyond music Sook Cheng finds joy in floral arrangement, baking and learning Japanese; creative pursuits that, much like music celebrate beauty, harmony, and expression.